PGE unveils system for real-time geothermal monitoring

Teams can respond to early signs of scaling and extend the life of wells.

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) has launched a system that lets operators monitor geothermal wells in real time without having to shut them down. Called Flow2Max, it was unveiled in Jakarta in December and is being piloted across the state-owned generator’s geothermal sites.

“Flow2Max is not just an incremental upgrade,” Ahmad Yani, director of operations at PGE, told Asian Power. “It is a structural breakthrough. For decades, geothermal operators have accepted gaps in flow data as normal. This technology closes that gap and changes how wells are monitored.”

Flow2Max addresses a long-standing challenge in the geothermal industry: the difficulty of tracking well performance continuously. Traditionally, operators had to stop production to take measurements, causing downtime, delayed diagnostics, and limited visibility of well performance.

The system provides continuous, high-resolution data on the flow and energy of steam and water from wells. This lets teams spot changes and potential issues as they happen.

“Before Flow2Max, measurements were periodic and anomaly detection was always late,” Yani said in an emailed reply to questions. “Now, operators can observe changes as they occur and make decisions based on evidence.”

By enabling continuous monitoring, the system supports predictive maintenance and more accurate planning. Teams can track trends over time, respond to early signs of scaling or unstable flow, and extend the life of wells.

This reduces unplanned downtime and improves overall project efficiency. Flow2Max also cuts costs by avoiding traditional shut-in tests that take one to two weeks. “The system significantly reduces production interruption and waiting time for results. This alone delivers tangible value for operators,” Yani said.

Developed internally by PGE engineers, Flow2Max has secured patents in six countries, including Indonesia, the US, New Zealand, Iceland, Türkiye, and the Philippines. This intellectual property protection positions the system for potential international adoption.

After the Jakarta launch, PGE plans to roll out Flow2Max across its 15 geothermal working areas in Indonesia, which together account for about 70% of the country’s installed geothermal capacity.

The company is also preparing scaled manufacturing, signalling plans for regional and global deployment.

“This is not just about efficiency,” Yani said. “It is about control, reliability, and building Indonesia’s role in geothermal technology globally. We are moving from being an energy producer to a technology developer and exporter.”